A fresh development has further escalated the political tension between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, following the arrest of a Port Harcourt–based medical doctor and pastor over an alleged plot to assassinate Wike.
According to SaharaReporters, operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) arrested Dr. Tombari Joseph Gbeneol, a medical doctor and founder of Life Forte Chapel Church in Port Harcourt, in connection with the alleged plot.
Security sources disclosed that the arrest followed the interception of a phone conversation between Dr. Gbeneol and the immediate past Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
In the recorded conversation, the suspects allegedly discussed plans to involve Israeli nationals in carrying out the assassination of the former Rivers State governor, now FCT minister. The discussion reportedly included an alleged plan to approach Governor Fubara for funding to execute the operation.
A senior security source described the conversation as a serious national security concern, noting that it prompted swift action by the IRT.
“The content of the call was considered a grave national security threat. That was what triggered the immediate action by the IRT,” the source said.
Following the intelligence report, operatives of the IRT, led by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, arrested Dr. Gbeneol, who has reportedly been in detention for about two weeks.
Security sources also revealed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dr. Danagogo, who is said to have gone into hiding since the matter surfaced.
Confirming the development, the Nigeria Police said the suspect is currently in custody and investigations are ongoing.
“He is in our custody. Investigation is ongoing,” the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, told SaharaReporters on Monday.
While the police declined to provide further details on the suspect or the alleged offence, sources familiar with the investigation said detectives are working to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the case and identify possible accomplices.